YOUR COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FOR THE BLETCHLEY AREA • Features • Puzzles • News • Events • Competitions • Reviews
letchley BUZZ
Spring 2017 GET THE #BletchleyBuzz
Inside:
Feeling overstretched? it could be your hormones! Design a cover competition Bletchley’s other secret
Is an ISA right for you?
WIN TICKETS
Win tickets to OH WHAT A NITE Plus a chance to win a disco party for your under 12’s Delivered free to 12,000 homes in Bletchley, Fenny Stratford, Newton Longville and Newton Leys www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
RELIABLE PLUMBER & GAS ENGINEER All plumbing work underdaken from leaking taps to full bathroom re-fits. Boiler installations, breakdowns and servicing No call out fees & Free quotations provided
Call for your FREE QUOTE 07870 204 164
www.tunnyplumbing.co.uk
Keith's Decorating Service
Interior / Exterior Decorating FREE ESTIMATES
Call: 01908 968018 or 07738 067662 No Job to big or small!
2
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
3
Hello again. Welcome to the Spring edition of Bletchley Buzz. With a few sunny and warmer days behind us it definitely feels like spring is on its way.
Bletchley Buzz is your local magazine for Bletchley, Fenny Stratford, Newton Leys and Newton Longville
I’ve been out and about meeting lots of the readers. It’s really lovely to get your feedback on the magazine and input as to what you would like to see in future editions. A special big thanks to all that attended the Living in the Moment Group at West Bletchley Council for such a warm welcome.
I look forward to hearing about the events you hold, it would be lovely if you could share any pictures too.
March is a busy month, St Patrick’s Day on the 17th (always a busy one for me as it’s also my daughter’s birthday) and Mother’s Day on the 26th. There are also many national events taking place for charities. See page 16 on how you can show your support for some of them.
Owner Claire Pilsworth Tel: 01908 464164
Happy Reading Claire ps. Don’t forget to put the clocks forward on 26th March.
Advertising: claire@bletchleybuzz.co.uk @BletchleyBuzz
6 8 10 12 14 15 16 18 23
@BletchleyBuzz Bletchley Buzz is reliably delivered by :Sure2Door
We do our best to get things right but neither the publisher or contributors will take any liability for loss or damage by errors. The publisher does not officially endorse advertisements or the views held by contributors. No part of the publication can be published or reproduced either in print or online without permission
Local News Local News Confident Speaking Supershoes Hope Matters Event DIY Valentine Gift Make March Over Stretched Is an ISA Right?
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 33
WIN Tickets Super You NEW Puzzle Page WIN A Disco What’s On Pets What’s On Puzzle Solutions Potato Doughnuts!
Is your website failing to generate leads? Want your marketing and customer communications to appear more professional? Or maybe you're looking for some blogging or content marketing support? I can help!
Find out more at www.amcontent.co.uk
Your community magazine for the bletchley area
4
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
NURSERY REGISTRATION FOR SEPTEMBER 2017
Our Nursery will be offering all day sessions from September 2017. Registration is now open. Morning sessions 8.45am—11.45am Afternoon Sessions (inc. lunch club) 11.45am—3.30pm £13 per session or £65 per week. So if your child will be 3 years old by 31 August 2017 please come along to one of our open mornings!
Open Mornings Thursday 23 February 2017 9.30am—11am Monday 27 March 2017 9.30am—11am Please contact the school office to confirm you would like to attend one of our open mornings or for further information.
Email address: office@rickleypark. milton-keynes.sch.uk Telephone number: 01908 372979
Rickley Park Primary School—A ‘Good’ School. Good Teaching and Learning, Good Behaviour, Good outcomes for pupils. Ofsted December 2016
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
5
news
Bletchley’s Other Secret
The History of Leon School 1870-2012 This book was researched by Duncan Hume, a member of Bletchley Heritage Initiative. His whole career was spent teaching at Leon School, and retirement gave time to access admissions registers and logbooks including those of the predecessor schools, dating back to 1870. Former staff and student stories, alongside newspaper reports and other documents, helped to create an account of the schools and the wider Bletchley Community, including links with Bletchley Park and the Leon family. Grace Hume joined her husband in completing the research and writing this account, having also taught at the school in the early eighties, and then from 2001.
Carnival Programme Front Cover’ competition is officially open for 2017 and we want your entries. Available across all the main stops in Newport Pagnell, the Carnival Programme goes out to thousands of people and you are in with the chance of having your artwork on the front of every, single cover. AND you win a prize – how great does that sound? To enter all you need to do is: • Draw, paint or create the 2017 programme front cover. We’ll be looking for a design that shows what you LOVE about carnival weekend; • Be between the ages of 4-11 years old; • Attach your artwork to a piece of paper clearly stating your name, age, school and parent’s/ guardian’s contact address, email and telephone number; and • Submit your entry by 5pm Friday 31 March 2017 either by: – Scanning it to pr@newportpagnellcarnival.com; or – Taking it to the Co-op, 62 High Street, Newport Pagnell, MK16 8AQ (the old Somerfield…ask your parents). Winners will be announced week commencing 10th April. If you have any questions please email them to pr@newportpagnellcarnival.com.` Last year’s winning cover. Your design could be on the front cover 2017
The book can be ordered online from: www.livingarchive.org.uk or bought for £10 from: •Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council Offices, 76 Queensway, Bletchley •Spotlight on Bletchley Office, 114 Serpentine Court, Bletchley •Milton Keynes Museum Bookshop, McConnell Drive, Wolverton
Competition Time
Are you 4-11 years old? Can you draw? Do you love the Newport Pagnell Carnival? Well, we’ve got just the competition for you! It’s big, it’s better and it’s back – The ‘Design the
6
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
Newly Refubished
Bletchley Community Heritage
The Westfield Centre (next to Library) in Bletchley is newly refurbished, It is a non-profit making friendly community centre that welcomes all retirees in a comfortable and relaxed environment. Open Mondays to Saturdays 10am-12pm for coffee and chat and in the afternoons 2pm-4pm for whist, bingo and crafts. Membership not needed, simply drop in or call 01908 375795 during opening hours. Outings, parties, bric-a-brac, good quality pre-owned books and clothes. The centre is also available for hire outside these times.
Going Blue
Taking place between 6th and 12th March, Willen Hospice is asking supporters to hold a Big Blue Bash to raise funds for the charity. This could be anything from holding a coffee morning with friends to putting on a disco, holding a cake sale at the office to a sponsored fancy dress. Willen Hospice is also appealing for volunteers to help at one of the many bucket collection slots taking place across Blue Week. The special week of fundraising activity looks to raise vital funds to support the end-of-life care provided by Willen Hospice with events and bucket collections held by supporters throughout Milton Keynes. Dawn Clark, Fundraising Manager at Willen Hospice, said ‘We just can’t wait for Blue Week 2017. Willen Hospice needs to raise £3.6 million every year to continue to offer their specialist care – that works out at around £7 every single minute and Blue Week is a great opportunity for the people of Milton Keynes to come together and support us in a really fun way.’ Anyone who would like help in holding their Big Blue Bash or would like to find out more about Blue Week can visit www.willen-hospice.org.uk/blueweek or call 01908 303057
Bletchley Community Heritage project began in March 2000 and is inspired by the lives of local people and the events that have shaped Bletchley’s past. It is a Living Archive project where, involving people of all ages and backgrounds, memories are collected and then brought to life through books, exhibitions, websites, CD ROMs and textiles. These have become the focus for community celebration and pride. Bletchley Community Heritage is based in Bletchley Library. Heritage Officer Herb Booth and his team of volunteers meet every Tuesday and Thursday between 10-12pm. The library sessions allows the community to view displays and archives and to reminisce to their hearts’ content. It has permanent boards displaying images of the area. Over 10,000 have been collected or donated by the public since the project started and there is also access to a photo and local newspaper archive. A digital archive Another important feature of the project is the building of a digital archive of local historical material, the production of exhibitions, web pages, CD ROMs and teaching materials. Through regular meetings volunteers scan and catalogue material and visitors can both explore the archive and add their own photos and memories. This project is currently funded by Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council. Visit ‘Talk About Bletchley’ a blog maintained and managed by Bletchley residents and volunteers. talkaboutbletchley.wordpress.com/about/
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
7
show in that tight, green bud, and the SuperArtist continues to work their magic. Finally, the full beauty of the flower can be seen by everyone as the Supershoes are finished. The child receives their shoes. Everyone smiles. It’s a sight worth seeing!
news The News from Supershoes Hello spring! I always think of spring as a very hopeful time of year. All around us we are seeing evidence of new growth and new arrivals: bulbs, leaves, flowers, lambs. All these precious signs mean that winter is at last coming to an end and we can look forward to brighter, lighter, warmer days. Hope, and looking forward to better times, is something we subscribe to very strongly here at Supershoes. Each pair of shoes we send to our Super Brave children, laced with hope, will involve a whole team in the processing, including the SuperArtist who paints them. Every person involved in that pair of shoes will add a smile, a thought, a wish for good health, a tear or a connection, each sending hope to that child and their family.
8
The process of creating a pair of Supershoes is like a spring bulb growing. First, you see them breaking through the earth as the first contact with a sick child takes place. Then, there are green leaves to be seen as we build a picture of that child and their favourite things. The green shoots grow taller and the plain shoes we’ve ordered arrive. The bud emerges as the SuperArtist begins to create their vision. The first hints of colour start to
All that time, throughout the cold winter, the little bulb has been waiting to grow, flower and cheer everyone up. It happens every year, and it’s always a lovely little ‘wow’ to treasure. Pairs of Supershoes are sent out every week, and every time a child opens their box, they experience a personal ‘wow’ to treasure, to bring a smile to their face and to make them feel special. If you’d be interested in finding out how we produce ‘wows’ each week, and you belong to a local group or business, I’d love to come and talk to you about what we do. Please contact me in the office, Monday to Friday, 9-3, on 01908 274994. Until next time, with peace, love and gratitude, Sarah
NO CASH? NO PROBLEM!
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
Fresh Fruit & Veg, Pies, Pickles & Cakes... Gardening Supplies
• Winter flowering plants • Selection of Oak tubs & Pots • Decorative Stone & Rocks • Sleepers
BBQ - Charcoal & Gas available Local Produce
Handmade Pies & Cakes Handmade Jams, Pickles & Relishes
Compost
4 bags of 60L Multi Purpose Compost only £12
Large Selection of Horse & Animal feed also available
Open 7 days a week Tel: 01908 377537
Just by McDonalds on the A5 Roundabout
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk Watling Street, Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK17 9DN
9
Become a confident speaker Many people find they have to do some sort of public speaking in their lives, such as business presentations, interviews, wedding speeches or at public meetings. At the Bletchley Speakers Club you get the chance to practise what you say before the event. Constructive feedback is given to help you improve and build your confidence. A typical meeting involves people delivering prepared speeches for a particular purpose, or as part of a structured education programme. Every speech is evaluated by another member in the club. Evaluation is constructive feedback pointing out which parts of the speech worked well and which areas need improvement. There is also the chance to have a go at impromptu speaking. As well as speaking, everyone gets a chance to practise other skills – for example being the chairperson for the evening. Club meetings are friendly with an emphasis on personal development, having fun and learning something new. Guests are always welcome and you do not have to join the club. We ask that guests pay £5 to attend a meeting, but this will be taken off your membership fee if you decide to join, which is £40 per year plus a joining fee of £10 for new members. We have been in Bletchley since the early 1970s and are part of a national organisation called the Association of Speakers Clubs. We look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings soon. Meetings take place on 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month (except July and August) 7:45-9:30 pm at Rectory Cottages, 49 Church Green Road, Bletchley, MK3 6BJ. For further information visit www.bletchleyspeakers.co.uk or contact Tom Ferrett on 01908 370742 or 07814 417260, or email tomferrett@btinternet.com.
10
Floral Art & Design Your Fresh New Florist
Orders now being taken for Mothers Day We specialise in: Wedding Flowers • Funeral/Sympathy Flowers Indoor/Outdoor plants • Flower Workshops Gifts • Helium Balloons • Handmade Cards
WORLDWIDE DELIVERY AVAILABLE
We support
Opening Times: Monday-Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm Saturday 10am - 4.30pm Sunday & evenings by appointment
Floral Art & Design 21 St Mary’s Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 5DT
Tel: 01908 274 630 Mob: 0799 007 8414 www.floralartdesign.co.uk
1st Glass Window Repairs FULLY INSURED! EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE Local company who can fix all types of problems with your double glazing, call us now for a free quotation. • Steamed Up Glass • Faulty Window or Door Locks & Hinges • Draughty Windows and Doors • Leaking Conservatory Roofs
• New Conservatory Roofs • Conservatory Cleaning & Service • Security up grades • We also fit Windows, Doors & Conservatories
£0 DEPOSIT REQUIRED - BALANCE UPON COMPLETION OF YOUR FULL SATISFACTION!
• Fascia • Soffits • Gutters Special Discount for OAP’s
CALL: 07511 906 161
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
£12.95 01908 483 459
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
11
JL Cakes Cakes for every occasion
CUPCAKE BOUQUETS Now taking orders for Mothers Day
Small, medium and large bouquets available and can be delivered in Milton keynes
Tel: 07702 170 787 JL_Cakes JulieLomasCakes
email: julielomas-cakes@hotmail.co.uk
10% DISCOUNT
when you quote Bletchley Buzz
‘Your Business is OUR Business’ Whatever your business needs, Sherwoods has a solution. From a basic, Self-Assessment tax return to full financial management options, we can tailor a competitively priced package to suit you. Our services include:
• Business start up guidance •Statutory accounts and audit • Tax planning and compliance • Cash-flow planning and forecasting • Succession planning • Vat and Payroll For a free initial consultation contact us on 01908 277577 or email@sherwoodsaccountants.co.uk
12
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
Make the right choice for your Windows and Doors Local, family-owned business for over 35 years Best price first time, every time – no gimmicks or hassle Members of leading qualityassurance organisations
Milton Keynes’ most comprehensive showroom
• EnTrancE DOOrs • frEncH DOOrs • paTIO DOOrs • BI-fOLD DOOrs
A+ Energy Rated Windows fitted as standard Open 7 days a week: Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm, Sat 9.30am - 5pm, Sun 10am - 4pm
Unit 8, Denbigh Hall Industrial Estate, Milton Keynes MK3 7QT
Registered Company
Call 01908 650140 or visit www.customglaze.co.uk for an online estimate
The Frank Moran Centre Junior Youth Club Tuesday For young people aged 9 - 12
Pain�ng and Decora�ng Bathrooms and Kitchens Fencing and Decking Small Repairs and Odd jobs General Plumbing / Minor Electrical and lots more.. Domes�c and Commercial
Starting 10th January 2017
Term Time Only
Activities include: Sports, Arts & Crafts, Table football, Safer Internet and Trips. If you want to learn new skills, make new friends, have fun, test your limits then come along on Tuesday evenings 6pm - 7:30pm. Entry fee is 50p per night. This club is supported by West Bletchley Council. For more information contact Terry Isles – Area Youth Worker on Mobile: 07960940114
www.handyperson.org.uk
Frank Moran Centre, Melrose Ave, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 6PA For further details please contact: Terence.Isles@Milton-keynes.gov.uk Youth Faculty, Rivers Centre, Trent Road, West Bletchley, MK3 7PH
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
13
Do you ever feel stretched beyond capacity?
D
oes it feel like you’re a rubber band and life is taking hold of both ends and stretching you in every direction until you’re left feeling physically and emotionally worn out, with no elasticity left?! Were you the independent type, but now you want to be a good wife and mum, and find you’re struggling to manage the career and family? Everyone wants a piece of you and you put them first, sometimes leading to mood swings, resentment, and irritability? Find you’re too knackered to do the housework and sex feels like yet another chore?
D
oes this sound familiar? Often the solution is to opt for medication containing synthetic hormones to balance you out, some of which can have side effects such as weight gain and suppressed periods. Or you could choose a natural alternative to help alleviate the symptoms. The homeopathic remedy Sepia might be useful if this sounds like you. It’s a great remedy for anyone who feels pulled in all directions, haven’t felt right since childbirth, or, on the opposite end of the scale, is dealing with the effects of the menopause.
pain and stomach issues such as IBS can be due to hormonal imbalance. For those looking for natural solutions then, alongside healthy eating and exercise, homeopathic remedies might be the right solution for you.
Y
our monthly cycle shouldn’t be a chore! You shouldn’t be feeling low or getting angry at anyone who comes within a few metres of you. And if a good night’s sleep is a long distant memory then maybe I can help.
O
r maybe you’re usually fairly chilled, calm and good natured but tend to have frequent mood swings that come out of nowhere, with no warning whatsoever and then vanish as quickly as they’ve come? You crave sympathy and attention when the situation warrants it, you cry easily for no reason and need company. If that sounds like you then the homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla may work for you. It addresses the whole range of hormonal issues from PMS to hot flushes, great from puberty throughout womanhood.
A
s women, we’re well aware of the emotional signs linked to hormonal imbalance but often physical health problems are linked too. And it’s not just common symptoms like headaches, cramps and sleepless nights; joint
14
I’m Catt, a Homeopath & Health Coach specialising in women’s hormonal balance, depression and weight management – I’d love to see what I could do for you. call 07942 868118 or visit the website for more information: www.vitalremedy.co.uk
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
Bringing a smile back to your home
Windows Doors including bifolds, composite, French & patios Fascias, soffits & guttering Conservatory roofs & upgrades
10 YEAR
insurance backed guarantee
glass@windowpainsmk.co.uk
Bathroom installation to a leaky tap to Central Heating installation Fast, reliable, efficient and friendly service guaranteed
Our business is cleaning and polishing floors, cleaning carpets and upholstery or even your en�re house. Kleen & Fresh aren’t the type of cleaners you commission on a weekly basis, they’re the people you contact a few �mes a year for that deep clean.
Leighton Buzzard & Milton Keynes
Boiler Cooker & hob Pipework Water Heater Natural Gas and LPG
3 rooms for £90 For a FREE quota�on and a friendly professional service, contact us
FREE ESTIMATES
•Carpet Cleaning •Hard Floor Cleaning/Polishing •Upholstery Cleaning •End of Tenancy Cleaning •Ma�ress Cleaning
No call out charge 24 Hour Emergency Phone: 01908 374 907 Moblie: 07931 927 222 Email: calltheplumber@hotmail.com
534418
www.call-the-plumber.co.uk
Call to find out more Tel: 01908 230201 Mobile: 07900 882292
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
15
B
Make March your charity month
letchley Buzz is a keen supporter of all local and national charities and March sees quite a few national events organised to raise money for charity… 23rd March is Red Nose Day and raises funds for Comic Relief to support projects in the UK and Africa. Last year’s funds have provided over 860,000 life-saving vaccinations for children in Africa, support for over 43,000 people suffering from mental health conditions in the UK and helped over 310,000 children, young people and their families at risk of abuse, violence and exploitation internationally lead safer lives. For fundraising ideas take a look at www.rednoseday.com
Easy fundraising There are so many good causes and charities today that quite often it can be challenging to know how to support them best. It’s not always possible to keep putting money in each pot on retailer’s counters or sign up to monthly direct debit contributions.
31st March is Wear a Hat Day with funds raised going towards Brain Tumour Research. This is a charity very close to my heart.
Not sure who to support? Why not help Supershoes who are based in Fenny Stratford? They make such a difference to young people’s lives. Read more on page 8.
More children and adults under the age of 40 die from brain tumours than other types of cancer. In the UK, every 2 hours someone is diagnosed with a brain tumour and each day 10 people die. Despite this only 1% of the spend on cancer research goes to brain tumour research. For more information take a look at www.braintumourresearch. org. Let’s help find a cure for brain tumours, get your hats out everyone!
16
What if you could make a difference to your chosen charity every time you shopped online? If you buy from high street retailers such as Argos and John Lewis, shop for food online, book holidays or sign up for utilities, the retailer will make a donation to your chosen charity. To register, simply sign up at www.easyfundraising. org.uk. Many retailers are now taking part and it’s surprising how the donations add up over a couple of months.
CALL MK 222 111 BOOK ONLINE OR DOWNLOAD OUR APP
Airport TAXIS from £30
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
A Mother’s Wish a Daughter’s Dream
If you’re looking to support a local good cause local mother Mel is raising money for treatment for her her daughter. She tells us more... “I am holding a live music and disco night, to raise money for my daughter Bella-Skye who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. We are hoping to raise £1500 for a 3 week block of intense therapy at ‘Footsteps’. We raised money last year to attend and the results were remarkable. My daughter went from not being able to sit up, to sitting up for at least 20 minutes unaided. We cannot wait to see what she is able to achieve this year with everybody’s help and kind donations. The event will be called ‘A mothers wish, A daughters dream’. It will be taking place on Saturday 15th April 2017, 7pm, at Scots club in Bletchley. There will be a live band, disco, licensed bar, sweet treats, face painting and temporary tattoos. Everyone is welcome.” See the event poster on page 18.
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
17
18
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
Have you got a pain in your glass? We e can make them W the as good as new!
Putting off getting your windows, ws, doors or conservatory sorted?
We We can fix your existing ones!
Showrro o now opeom Newportt n in P behin i d the agnell chamberrs old town s s. . Pop in for a cup pa T Tu uesd y, Thurrsssd day and ay, Saturrd day 10-2
✓Broken glass ✓Doors not shutting properly ✓F ppy ✓ ✓Misty/foggy Misty/foggy double glazing ✓Window hinges catching ✓Gutters leaking ✓Drafty windows ✓Lock replacement ✓ ✓Conservatory leaks
For a FREE Home Health Check call: WE ALSO
REPLACE WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVAT TORIES
01908 828 961 01 01908 787444 www.windowpainsmk.co.uk www .windowpainsmk.co.uk
glass@ windowpainsmk.co.uk
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
19
Holidays with a dierence. More choice, Great service.
Wedding abroad
Family holidays
Tailor made holidays
City breaks Airport transport and lounges Flights and hotels
We love to tailor make your holiday to suit your dreams ... and your budget!
Call us today: 02070 606 117 or email: webstartravels@notjusttravel.com
20
www.webstartravels.co.uk
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
The The Salon Salon MK MK
! !
Hair & Beauty
19 Melrose Avenue, Milton Keynes
' )(%*&()*% #)$*#!*&* &%)* "'* )) *&!$* #" * ' ' &")%
(# )*#%*$) # )()$* (' * * #" #!* # "'!* ) !)%
(' %)*' (* ) %#")* '(*'" )(*$)%# !%
" # # " " & )!"* * & * & *'(* &%
Opening Hours: 9.30 - 6pm Tues/Wed 9.30 - 7pm Thur/Fri 9 - 3pm Sat Closed Sun/Mon
'*'($)(* & * ") &* ' )%
! ! # # #" ($)(* * (%$& * ($* &( * '(* &(&!"))$* $) # )( *'!* '" )(%* & *
Discounts available for OAP's/ Seniors Tues - Friday 9.30 - 1pm
Call 01908 374124 www.thesalonmk.com
*$#% ' !"*'!*%) '!$* ' )" &($*#%*!'"*#! $)$* * ' ' (%* & * &( *
All building work, Landscaping & Property Maintenance
Before
After
Before
After
Block Paving & Driveways Patios & Decking
FREE ESTIMATES
Call: 01908 968018 or 07738 067662
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
21
19B Melrose Avenue, Bletchley MK3 6PB
Walk In's and Appointments Available OAP's discounts Monday to Thursday Gents Cut Beard Trim Clipper Cut OAP/Kids
from £10 from £5 from £7 £7
Monday-Thursday only
Boys Cut (12-15years)
£8
Monday-Thursday only
Express Shave Luxury Shave Pattern Gents Cut + Express Shave Gents Cut + Luxury Shave
from £10 from £15 from £5 from £20 from £25
Opening Hours: 9.30 - 6pm Mon 9.30 - 7pm Tues-Fri 9 - 7pm Sat Closed Sun
All Hair Cuts from £10 Fri & Sat
Tel: 07387 212 136
NURSERY ON THE GREEN A small, homely, 24 place private day nursery at: 74, Church Green Road, Bletchley, MK3 6BY From 3 month to 5 years.
☺ ☺ A small six place baby nest in a quiet annex. ☺ Staff all CRB checked. Key staff all qualified. ☺ Extensive garden with all weather outdoor play ¥ area and covered decking. Children can play outside no matter ¥ what the weather. ☺ 5 star rating for our kitchen. ☺ Opening times: 8.00am – 6.00pm daily Monday to Friday. ☺ Phone for an appointment to view and further details : 01908 374757 ask for Pam Email: Staff@notg.co.uk Website: www.nurseryonthegreen.org
22
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
When it comes to investment, could an ISA be right for you? Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) have been around for a while, so much so that there are socalled ISA millionaires, people who have invested and grown their money to hit seven figures. ISAs are one of few great joys in the world of taxation – a place where income or capital gains is tax-free. In recent years, ISAs have become even more flexible. You can keep any mix of individual shares, funds and cash in them. And setting one up is simple – you can buy online, from a financial adviser, or from a fund manager. There are a few rules to follow. An ISA investor must be resident in the UK for tax purposes, you must be aged 18 or over to invest in a stocks and shares ISA and 16 or over to invest in a cash ISA, but it's possible for UK residents under 16 to have a Junior ISA. Parents, or anyone else, can invest in a Junior ISA on behalf of a child, although remember a gift is a gift!
So, how much can you invest in your ISA? The maximum annual amount you can add to your ISA is £15,240 this tax year for an adult (it increases to £20,000 next tax year), and £4,080 for a child. You may be asking ‘surely there must be some tax implications’? Well, income and gains are free of tax and money can be withdrawn at any time, however, once withdrawn it will lose its tax exemption. Individuals can transfer their ISA balance to a new provider without losing the tax exemption. Any income taken from an ISA investment won't affect the investor's entitlement to personal allowances. It does not count as 'adjusted net income'. Too good to be true? An independent financial adviser can help you make informed decisions about how to invest. Speak to Peter at Excel 121 Ltd on 01908 363458 or 07841 513136 to decide whether an ISA could work for you.
EXCEL 121 LTD INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL PLANNING Excel 121 Ltd has been established for many years providing a professional financial planning service for our clients. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We look after the needs of many personal and corporate clients. We aim to provide the highest level of service, continuity of advice and monitoring of our clients aims and financial goals. Fully independent, we are able to advise you in many areas of planning. There is no cost to you for any initial consultation or discussion. Retirement planning Investing and saving All types of mortgages Equity release Inheritance planning
School fees planning Life insurance for your family Ill health protection Business protection
0800 0835963 to make an appointment with an adviser www.excelwealth.co.uk Excel 121 Ltd, The Mansion, Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes, MK3 6EB Excel 121 Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, register number 440045. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. To understand the features and risks of Equity Release, ask for a personalised illustration.
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
23
OH WHAT A NITE FEATURING THE JERSEYS COMES TO MILTON KEYNES – THE VENUE ON WEDNESDAY 22ND MARCH 2017! Direct from Viva Blackpool – A Celebration Of The Amazing Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons! Featuring The Jerseys, Leye D Johns and The Viva Showgirls Join ‘The Jerseys’ as we celebrate the timeless music of the 100 million album selling Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, the Drifters, The Stylistics, Beach Boys and more – from Doo Wop and Soul, to Northern Soul and Motown… hit after hit after hit. Incredible falsettos, beautiful acapellas – the authenticity of the sublime harmonies of the 60s and 70s – with a huge repertoire including ‘Sherry’, ‘Walk Like A Man’,
‘My Eyes Adored You’, ‘Grease’, Rag Doll’, ‘Stay’ ‘Lets Hang On’ and other music from great artists of the time too including ‘The Snake’, ‘Band of Gold’, ‘My Girl’, ‘September’ before finishing off with headline hit ‘Oh What A Night’! This is much more than just another tribute show – this is a celebration of fantastic music performed by an array of incredible talent, joined on stage by hilarious host Leye D Johns and the Viva Showgirl Dancers giving this production extra sparkle, comedy and Vegas style atmosphere. Fresh from a 3 season residency at ‘Viva Blackpool’ – this a full production show featuring hit after hit, comedy and more – the complete night out which will have you dancing in the aisles of the theatre and ‘beggin’ for more!
WIN TWO TICKETS
For your chance to win simply answer the following question.. Which of the following hits will feature in Oh What a Nite ?
a) Walk like an Egyptian b) Walk like a Dinosaur c) Walk like a Man To enter please email your answer to buzz@bletchleybuzz.co.uk with the Subject OHWHATANITE or post your answer together with your name and contact details to: 2 Tunny End, Bletchley MK3 6GZ attention of Bletchley Buzz Oh What a Nite Competition. Competition closes 15th March 17. Prize is only as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. No cash alternative will be offered. Bletchley Buzz Magazine accepts no liability for non-delivery of prizes. Tickets only valid on 22nd March
24
MILTON KEYNES - THE VENUE BOX OFFICE NO: 01908 528808 Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz WWW.THEVENUEMK.COM
Who inspires you?
If I were to ask who inspires you, what would you say? Normally when I ask that I get a list of celebrities, sports people and occasionally a friend or family member. I’m yet to hear the reply “me” and that isn’t really surprising as so many of us find it hard enough to see the good in ourselves let alone find inspiration by looking inwards. Thinking about ourselves as having the potential to be inspiring can create some interesting thoughts though: • • • • • • •
Who do we find inspiring? Why do we get inspired by these people? What are the characteristics that impress us? How many of these attributes do we already have? What would we have to do differently to have the rest? What would it take to inspire others? Based on these thoughts, could you now create a description of the best version of yourself? Could you describe ‘Super Me’? What would it be like to wake up every morning as Super Me? Going out into the world to spread inspiration wherever it was needed. Okay so I’m having a bit of fun with this, but you could too. More importantly so could everyone you meet.
You don’t have to climb a mountain, swim an ocean or save the world. Sometimes all it takes is a smile, a moment of kindness, staying calm under pressure, offering help. They are things we can all do, they don’t take a moment but they do take thought. BE INSPIRING TODAY – BE YOU
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
25
SUDOKO
Crossword Clues Across 1 Nightclub entertainment (7) 4 Strange and frightening (5) 7 System for detecting aircraft (5) 9 Vertical, erect (7) 10 Passivity, paralysis (7) 11 Emperor, king, monarch (5) 12 Tyrannical dictator (6) 14 Priest or religious leader (6) 18 Plentiful (5) 20 Gaunt, exhausted (7) 22 Scottish pouch worn with a kilt (7) 23 Ceremonial headdress (5) 24 Item in a diary, or notebook (5) 25 Spiny Australian egg-laying mammal (7)
Word Search bib bub civic dad deed deified did eve ewe eye gag kayak madam
26
mum noon peep pep pop racecar radar redder redivider refer repaper reviver rotator
Down 1 Supported, sustained (7) 2 Decorative breast pin (5) 3 Tropical bird with large colourful beak (6) 4 Mistake (5) 5 Constant, uniform (7) 6 Go inside (5) 8 Relative size of two values (5) 13 Assist financially (7) 15 Strict reason (5) 16 Intricate musical solo (7) 17 Become different (6) 18 Passage in supermarket (5) 19 Before the expected time (5) 21 Keep away from (5)
rotavator sagas sees sis solos stats succus tenet toot tot tut wow
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
OPEN EVERYDAY EXCEPT TUESDAY 11AM - 10.30PM
BRAND NEW. EXOTIC. HEALTHY. MOUTH WATERING EXPERIENCE. RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP.
We cook on a proper charcoal grill, using fresh ingredients and mouth watering sauces so the taste is delicious. Great choice including chicken, steaks, skewers and ribs. Our range of drinks are from Portugal too (beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks) and all of our desserts are home made (chocolate mousse, cakes and more)
EXPERIENCE A LITTLE OF PORTUGAL IN OUR RESTAURANT, THE ATMOSPHERE, THE MUSIC, THE COFFEE... DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT - COME AND PAY US A VISIT. EAT IN OR COLLECT
TEL: 01908 3700 13
200 WHADDON WAY, BLETCHLEY, MILTON KEYNES MK3 7DG
HOUSE OF CHICKEN
Oh What a Night Disco's Do you know an after school club or after school activity for children under 12 that deserves a free disco for all their hard work ? Do they go above and beyond for your child and the local community? For a chance of winning a FREE Mid Week 2 hour disco with games, competitions and party dances to show them your appreciation please go to facebook, Like and Share the Oh What A Night page. Please quote Bletchley Buzz and who / why should win. If you are not on Facebook , please email claire@bletchleybuzz.co.uk with your nomination. A winner will be selected randomly on Closing date 5pm on 24th March. Prize is only as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. No cash alternative will be offered. Bletchley Buzz Magazine accepts no liability for non-delivery of prizes. Winner must mutually agree date with Oh What a Night Disco's.
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
27
XTREME CHALLENGE
CALDECOTTE
MARCH 18TH & 19TH 2017 At Caldecotte Xperience, Milton Keynes, MK6 3AG
Climb, abseil, scramble, crawl, hit the target, canoe, run and wade to the finish. Enter your team of 4 people ÂŁ200 per team For an entry form and more information call Action4Youth on 0300 003 2334 email events@action4youth.org or visit www.action4youth.org Carers MK contact details: 01908 231703 or email: mail@carersmiltonkeynes.org
28
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
QUOTE #123 WHEN BOOKING & PET NANNY MK WILL DONATE £1 TO HULA CHARITY PER APPOINTMENT BOOKED
Dog Walking & Pet Care My name is Karen and I provide love and care for dogs, cats and small animals.
Rest easy while you’re at work, enjoying your holidays or simply need a helping hand in caring for your pets!
• • • •
Dog Walking • Cat Sitting Pet Feeding Pet Transport (Groomers etc.) Pop-in service for cats, kittens, puppies and other small animals
20% OFF
first service
Phone: 07908 466755 Email: info@petnannymk.com
www.petnannymk.com
Our ideal home Can live indoors or outdoors Can live with children Can live with cats and dogs as long as we are kept secure and away from them Neutered Looking for a home together
Hello everyone, my name is Pearl and I’m brown and white, and my name is Charcoal and I’m the black rabbit. We are looking for a home together as we are very good friends and bonded. We cannot wait to find our new home, somewhere we can have lots of new exciting things to explore and get up to lots of mischief together. Name: Charcoal and Pearl Age : 3 Years Sex : Male & Female Breed : Lionhead X
Pearl is the more confident and outgoing of the pair, whilst Charcoal is a little more reserved. They love spending time together especially in the garden and getting lots of fresh air and excercise. Can you offer this gorgeous pair a home? Please remember a rabbit's behaviour in the animal house is not always a true representation of their real character as they are in an unfamiliar environment. Hula Animal Rescue, Glebe Farm, Salford Rd, Aspley Guise, MK17 8HZ nr Milton Keynes. Charity No 1094115
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
29
What’s On Guide
Tweet your event to us @bletchleybuzz
March 2017 Thursday 9nd March 7.45pm-9.30pm. Bletchley Speakers Club 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month (except July & August). Rectory Cottages, 49 Church Green Road, Bletchley MK36BJ. £5 for guests. Contact Tom Ferret 01908 270742 or 078144417260 www.bletchleyspeakers.co.uk Saturday 11th March 9.45am-3.30pm – Patchwork People. A day of patchwork demos, show and tell, traders and speaker. Relaxing day to chat, sew or knit with like-minded people. Visitors £11. Free tea/coffee. Light lunches, cakes available to purchase. For details call Julie 01234 881002. Held at Lovat Hall, Newport Pagnell, MK160EJ. Sunday 12th March 1.00pm – 3.30pm Early Mother’s Day Celebration £2 per adult, Children 50p. Hula dog parade (weather permitting), Pamper treatments (Humans & Dogs), Children’s fun and games, refreshments available to purchase Hula Animal Rescue, Glebe Farm, Salford Road, Aspley Guise, MK17 8HZ. 01908 584000. Saturday 25th March 7.00pm Quiz & Fish & Chips Supper Night £10pp.Simpson Village Hall. Proceeds to Simpson & Ashland Garden Group. Raffle prizes gratefully accepted. Suppers must be booked with Pat Hodges missquiz@sky.com or 01908 644785. Max of 8 per table. Other nights available to book Saturday 8th and 22nd April. Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th March Caldecotte Extreme Challenge Climb, Abseil, Scramble, Crawl, Strike, Canoe, Run and wade! Enter a team of 4 to compete. £200 per team. For an entry form and more information call Action4Youth on 03000032334 Email events@action4youth.org
30
Sunday 19th March 4pm-5.15pm Time Out – Drop in for as long as you like. Free activities, games and crafts. Look in to some of the “questions of life”. Bring Family, neighbours and friends. Whaddon Way Church. Email minister@whaddonway.church For more deatils Wednesday 29th March 8 pm Sherwood Choral Society invite you to a concert celebrating 25 years of practising in the resonant acoustics of Queensway Methodist Church. Featuring Choral and instrumental music from the 17th to 21st Century. Refreshments available, collection in aid of church. Concert is approx. 1 hour in duration. Admission Free. Queensway Methodist Church, Fenny Stratford, MK2 2HB. Friday 31st March 8pm-12pm Monthly Karaoke Night With Oh What a Night Disco’s at Bletchley Rugby Club, Manor Fields, Rugby Club, MK179JH. Happy Hour at 8pm. Children welcome. Come sing your heart out! Last Friday of every month.
April 2017 Thursday 6th April 8pm Bletchley Archaeological and Historical Society – Stephen Barker – Ox and Bucks on the Somme 1916. Meetings held at Rectory Cottages, Church Green Road. Membership £12pa, £15 for couples, £3 per lecture, students free. Thursday 6th April 7.30pm Bletchley Evening Women’s Institute. St Andrews Baptist Church, Buckingham Road, Bletchley. Newcomers welcome. Call 01908 379675 for details. Meetings 1st Thursday of each month.
Tell our found them in Bletchley Buzz Tell usadvertisers about youryou event: buzz@bletchleybuzz.co.uk
Like Bletchley Buzz on facebook for more updates Weekly What’s On Introduction to Tai Chi 5 Lesson Course running 13th March – 10th April Mondays 2pm at West Bletchley Community Centre, 3 Porchester Close, MK3 6BH. Fee: £35 to be paid at beginning of course. Book in the WBCC office or contact course tutor Elain Koster on 07906 243576 or email elaine@ taichiforall.co.uk Westfield Centre (next to Library) Bletchley Friendly community centre welcomes all retirees. Open Monday to Saturdays 10am-12 for coffee and chat. 2pm – 4pm for Whist, Bingo and Craft. Membership not needed. Simply drop in or call 01908375795 during opening hours.
West Bletchley Community Centre Tel: 01908 374122 Bingo Club – Every Tuesday 2.00pm – 4.00pm £1 with refreshments plus cost of bingo tickets. Short Mat Bowls – Every Wednesday 10.00am – 12.00pm Indoor bowling. £2 with refreshments. Ladies of Leisure – Activities every fortnight on a Wednesday 2.00pm – 4.00pm £2 with refreshments. Art Group – every Thursday 1.30pm – 4.00pm. Friendly group who enjoy painting. 3 Porchester Close, MK3 6BH Coffee Morning with Book & Bric-a-brac Sale Fridays 9.30pm- 12 noon Church Hall, adjacent to Queensway Methodist Church, Queensway, Bletchley
Time for You Every Tuesday 10am – 1.30pm. A time for people who are retired or at home during the day to meet up for fun, company, talks, outings. Relax and chat with a cuppa at Whaddon Way Church, Contact Frances (01908 366328) or Sue (01908 642430)
Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council’s
Junior Youth Club 9-12 years. Every Tuesday 6pm-7.30pm The Fran Moran Centre, Melrose Avenue, Bletchley MK3 6PA Sports, Arts & Crafts, Table Football, Trips. Make new friends Entry Fee just 50 per night. For more details : Terry Isles 07960940114 or email Terance.Isles@milton-keynes.gov.uk
(by Irish Centre)
Open Day
Saturday 25 March 2017 10 am to 2 pm
For more information, contact Allotments Officers: Phone: 01908 649 469 Email: mika.minnitt@bfstc.co.uk pam.price@bfstc.co.uk Website: www.bfstc.co.uk
at Manor Fields Allotment
Come along to have a look around the site and chat to tenants.
Scottish Dancing Every Wednesday 8.00-10.00pm Have fun whilst getting fit. No partner needed. All welcome. Just £3 per session. Shenley Brook End Village Hall MK5 7AA. Jange@verybusy.co.uk Illustration: © Milkwood Publishing Ltd.
Share your news, events,www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk fundraisers with us, Call Claire on 01908 464164 31
puzzle solutions
Your Local Plant Nursery
Plants, Bird food, Compost and Pots Stoke Rd, Newton, Longville MK17 0BQ
Open 10-4pm Sat & Sun Tel: 07986 297547 Now Offering:
Driveway, Path & Patio Cleaning
WWW.HEADYPLANTSANDCLEANING.COM
WEST BLETCHLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE 3 PORCHESTER CLOSE. MK3 6BH Registered Charity Number 254163
This popular Centre currently has slots available for regular group hire in the Large Hall on: MONDAY and FRIDAY AFTERNOON Arrange a visit and join our satisfied clients.
Tel. 01908 374122 32
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
Time for Potatoes
With potatoes being a ready commodity in the shops and requiring a fair bit of space and digging to grow at home, you may wonder why anyone would bother growing them. Not only is there a certain amount of joy and satisfaction to be had from digging up a potato plant and finding the hidden treasure underneath, but potatoes fresh out of the ground have an amazing flavour worth the effort. Another good thing about growing your own is that you can choose from hundreds of varieties of seed potato. Last year, as well as some fairly normal white potatoes, I grew Highland Red, which has pink skin and flesh, and Salad Blue, which has purple flesh. One evening when I was feeling particularly creative, I boiled up batches of each of these and served up Neapolitan mash for dinner –
Sugared ring doughnuts
200ml milk 7g dried yeast Pinch of sugar 225g plain flour 80-100g mashed potato 80g caster sugar (plus extra for coating) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (plus extra for frying) Cinnamon (optional)
no food colourings required! But until the first batch of potatoes is ready to harvest we’ll have to struggle on with the ones that have been in storage since the end of summer, which are OK for mash. If you have some mash left over you can make a batch of doughnuts and that is sure to brighten any miserable day while we wait for summer. cover with greased Clingfilm and set aside for an hour to prove. Turn out onto a well-floured surface and roll out until about 2cm thick. Cut out circles of dough and then cut a smaller circle out of the middle to make a ring.
Warm the milk to body temperature then add the yeast and pinch of sugar and leave to activate for 5 minutes. Put the flour, potato, sugar and vegetable oil in a bowl then add the milk mixture and combine until a dough forms, adding more flour if required. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes until smooth. Place back in the bowl,
Heat about 2-3cm of oil in a wok until just beginning to form bubbles below the surface. Test the oil by dropping in a little of the dough to see if it sizzles gently (not too vigorously). Put 2-3 rings of dough into the oil at a time. Cook for a minute each side until golden brown. Turn out onto a plate with kitchen towel on it to drain off some of the oil then toss on a plate of caster sugar (with cinnamon added if you like). Repeat until all the mixture is used.
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
Recipes by JamMooKow www.jammk.co.uk
33
34
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
Bletchley Buzz
OFFER ENDS 31st March 2017
Valid until 31st March 2017
www.bletchleybuzz.co.uk
35
INVITATION Experience and knowledge is vital when valuing property. Jay Mason has been an Estate Agent for 19 years, he is customer focused and listens to client’s needs and expectations.
Fantastic service, supportive and all round great job. Couldn’t do enough to help me sell my property. Highly recommended. Very happy customers. Thank you Thomas Connolly! Ashley Hill
THE HUB, BROOKLYN HOUSE, 7 RILLATON WALK, MILTON KEYNES, MK9 2FZ
JAY MASON, Marketing Manager
PERSONAL STATEMENT: “I have 19 years’ experience in Estate Agency, I’ve managed one of the large corporate Estate Agencies in Bletchley for 5 years. I really enjoy meeting new clients and valuing property. I am training for a marathon in my spare time as I am a keen runner and I love to travel and cook. ”
Tell our advertisers you found them in Bletchley Buzz
36